Rail-joint.



No. 779,278. PATENTED JAN. 3, 1905.

7 E. L. HALL.

RAIL JOINT.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 28, 1903.

2 SHEETS-8HEET l.

Wihwoaeo No. 779,278. v PATENTED JAN. 3, 1905.

B. L. HALL.

RAIL JOINT.

APPLICATION IILED NOV. 2a, 1903.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

314004110: E LL11 (1 Wihwaoza a /Z5" 2W, 4/7747 UNITED STATES JOSEPH A. AKERS,

Patented January 3, 1905 PATENT OFFICE.

ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO OF ROAOHDALE, INDIANA.

RAIL-JOINT.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 779,278, dated January 3, 1905. Application filed Norember 28, 1903. Serial No. 183,086.

T at! w/wm it may concern.-

Be it known that I, ERIoK L. HALL, a citizen of the United States, residing at Roachdale, in the county of Putnam and State of Indiana,

have invented new and useful Improvements in Rail-Joints, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to a rail joint or coupling; and the objects in view are to provide a truss-fastening that will firmly support the meeting ends of the rails, a fastening means by which the ends of the rails may be secured without the use of bolts extending through the rails, means for preventing the rails from depressing at their abutting ends, and thus reduce the wear and tear on rollingstock, as well as the annoyance and inconvenience to the traveling public incident to movable joints and inequalities in the latter under the ordinary methods of fastening rail ends, and to facilitate the connection of abutting rail ends by simple and effective means.

The invention consists in the construction and arrangement of the several parts, which will be more fully hereinafter set forth.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a side elevation of rail extremities, showing the improved joint or coupling means applied thereto; Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the same. Fig. 3 is a 0 transverse vertical section taken through the center of the joint or coupling means. Fig.

4 is a top plan view of the couplingv means.

Fig. 5 is a bottom plan view of the device shown by Fig. 4:.

Similar numerals of reference are employed to indicate corresponding parts in the several views.

The numerals 1 and 2 designate rail-sections which are assembled as in ordinary rail construction and disposed on ties 3. The improved coupling means or joint consists of a base or chair plate 4, with a central depending strengthening-rib 5 extending longitudinally for a portion of its length. This rib may also serve in some instances where ballast is used to prevent any possibility of the base or chair plate 4 slipping out of place on the ties.

' This function, however, is secondary to the strengthening feature of the said rib. At

each end of the plate 4 are transversely-extending chairs, each comprising opposite inturned flanges 6, arranged at an upward angle of inclination, with their inner opposing ends spaced apart from each other to provide a slot or passage 7 therethrough. At the center of the plate 4 a chair is also located and of materially larger dimensions than the end chairs. The central chair has inwardly-projecting upwardly-inclined flanges 8 continuous with vertical brace members 9 to cover the joint between the contiguous ends of the rail-sections 1 and 2. To strengthen the brace members 9, inclined ribs 10 are integrally formed at opposite sides of the central chair, the said ribs being located directly in line with the joint between the rail-sections. The brace members 9 have an opening 11 formed therebetween, which is in longitudinal alinement with the openings 7 in the end chairs.

The improved coupling means is preferably formed in one piece of suitable metal, and in applying the same it is slipped longitudinally over one rail end and the opposite rail-section thereafter inserted through one of the end chairs into the central chair, care being taken to have the joint between the two rail-sections located directly opposite the ribs 10 of the central chair, as clearly shown by Fig. 1. When the rail-sections are inserted in the coupling means, the flanges 6 and 8 cover the baseflanges of the said sections, and the upper ends of the brace members 9 contact with the opposite portions of the under sides of the railheads. After the coupling means has been applied in the manner stated it is secured to the ties by driving spikes close to the opposite edges thereof.

From the foregoing it will be seen that the usual fastening-bolts employed in connecting rail ends are dispensed with and a stable support is provided for the abutting rail ends. The plate l prevents the ends from depressing, and downward bending of said plate is obstructed by the reinforcing-rib 5, which is located directly under the longitudinal centers of the rail-sections when the coupling means is properly applied. The ribs 10 prevent the brace members 9 from being thrown outwardly by pressure of the rail ends thereagainst, and the said ends are thus held in close alinement and the formation of abutting shoulders is overcome. By holding the abutting ends of the rails in close engagement wear on the rolling-stock, as well as inconvenient jar and vibration to the traveling public, is obviated. Moreover, accidents due to depression of the ends of the rails or lateral separation of the same are also prevented.

The improved coupling means permits the rails to expand and contract, and one of the main advantages of the said means is the simplicity of structure and the integral nature of all the parts, which will expedite the application thereof to rail ends.

Having thus fully described the invention, what is claimed as new is- 1. A coupling means for rail ends, having a lower plate with end and intermediate chairs, the end chairs being provided with in Wardlyprojecting upwardly-inclined flanges, having a passage formed between their inner ends and the central chair being larger in dimensions than the end chairs and also having inwardlyprojecting upwardly-inclined flanges continuing into vertical braces and formed with exterior strengthening-ribs, thechairs and plate being of integral construction.

2. A coupling means for the ends of rails, having a base-plate with a central depending rib extending longitudinally of said plate, end chairs with inwardly-projecting upwardly-inclined flanges with passages between their inner opposing ends, and a central chair also having inwardly projecting upwardly inclined flanges continuing into vertical brace members provided with strengthening-ribs extending thereover and adapted to be disposed directly opposite the joint between the rail ends, the members of the central chair also having a passage therethrough in longitudinal alinement with the passages of the end chairs.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

JOSEPH A. AKERs, W. O. BURFORD. 

